QQQY vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. QQQY is actively managed, while GLD is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 34.98% vs 25.38% for GLD. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

QQQY vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQY achieves a 18.97% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 0.06% return.

QQQY

• 1D: 3.07%
• 1M: 4.23%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 19.80%
• 1Y: 34.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GLD

• 1D: 2.59%
• 1M: -4.97%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: 0.19%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: 29.73%
• 5Y*: 18.31%
• 10Y*: 12.33%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQQY vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	18.97%	14.96%	7.70%	7.19%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.06%	63.68%	26.66%	7.96%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and GLD is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.13

The correlation between QQQY and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 76
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 27
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

QQQY vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QQQY	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	0.93	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	1.30	+1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.19	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	1.04	+2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.91	2.97	+9.93

QQQY vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY and GLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-45.56%	+26.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-24.46%	+13.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-20.03%	+19.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-16.16%	+13.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	8.59%	-5.87%

Volatility

QQQY vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) is 7.60%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 8.37%. This indicates that QQQY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	8.37%	-0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.19%	24.21%	-11.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.20%	27.49%	-12.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.22%	18.26%	-3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.22%	16.10%	-0.88%

QQQY vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.34%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	34.34%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and GLD in my portfolio?

QQQY and GLD have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQY or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to QQQY (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or GLD?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 34.98% vs 25.38% for GLD. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, QQQY has been the lower-risk option at 7.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or GLD?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 34.98% return vs 25.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or GLD?

GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQY or GLD?

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 34.34%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between QQQY and GLD?

QQQY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while GLD is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.93), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.